The First Day
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
The bells echoed across the small town of Alvaro, signaling the start of a new academic year. For most, it was just another day, but for young Arthur, it was the first step toward a dream he had clung to all his life.
"Alvaro Elemental" read the wooden plank at the side of an iron gate leading to a small building. The school stood modestly at the heart of the town, a two-room building with cracked walls and a roof patched with mismatched tiles. It wasn't much, but to Arthur, it was a gateway to a better life.
Arthur ran, his worn shoes kicking up dust as he hurried toward the school. His mind buzzed with excitement and determination. Today was the first day of his journey to awaken an element. Like every other child in Alvaro, he had heard the tales: the chosen few who wielded the power of elements, held great power, commanded respect from all and most importantly, lived comfortable lives. As his gaze fell upon the holes on the sleeves of his shirt, he clenched his fists. He needed to be one of them.
By the time he reached the school, the bells had stopped ringing, and the classroom was already alive with chatter. Arthur slipped inside, his clothes dusty and his hair slightly disheveled. He avoided the gaze of the boy seated at the center of a group near the front. This was Kian, the son of Sir Arash, a knight and the noble in charge of the town. Kian's sharp eyes caught Arthur's late arrival, and a smirk spread across his face.
"Late already?" Kian muttered just loud enough for those nearby to hear. "Maybe he's training to be the town jester instead of an Elementalist." quipped another boy Cedric who was sitting behind Kian. He was the son of a wealthy merchant in the town.
Laughter rippled through Kian's group, but Arthur ignored it, silently taking a seat at the back of the room. With a glance, he guessed that there would be around 40-50 students in the classroom.
The classroom soon quieted as an old man with a frail frame but sharp, piercing eyes, entered. He was the school headmaster, carrying an air of authority that commanded attention from everyone.
"This world," the headmaster began, his voice steady, "is built on elements. Everything you see, everything you touch, is composed of fire, water, earth, and air. Humans, too, are made of these elements. But only a rare few can awaken their affinity and wield them. Those who do are the shapers of our world. They rise above the ordinary, commanding power and respect. But for many of you," he paused, letting his gaze sweep the room, "that will remain a dream."
Arthur felt his fists clench under the desk. It wouldn't remain a dream for him. It couldn't.
"The element you awaken, if you awaken, will depend on your affinity. Most of you will hope for water or earth, perhaps air if you're lucky. Fire is rare, even among the rare few who awaken the elements. For those who fail to awaken, the path of a warrior remains if you choose so. It is a difficult life, but not without honor. Else, you can lead a normal life, there is no dishonour in that."
Kian leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. "Don't bother hoping for fire, Arthur. You will be lucky if you awaken any element at all."
Arthur grit his teeth as he glanced at him but said nothing. Kian and Arthur were acquainted since an early age. Arthur's mother was one of the servants working in Sir Arash's house. Arthur sometimes accompanied his mother to Sir Arash's house to lend her a hand. If he was lucky, he could even spot a few elementalist guards practising in the fields.
On one such morning, Arthur had accompanied his mother to the estate to help carry some of the discarded vegetables back home. The knight's kitchen staff often threw out slightly bruised and overripe produce that was still good enough to eat, and the servants had permission to take what was left behind.
Arthur stood near the servant's entrance, holding a basket piled high with wilted greens and a few bruised tomatoes, when Kian appeared. He was younger then, no older than six, but already carried himself with the arrogance of someone accustomed to power. He was followed by two of the knight's guards who treated his antics more like entertainment than mischief.
"Arthur, isn't it?" Kian called out, his tone mocking as he stepped closer.
"Let's see what treasures you've got here," Kian said, pulling out a squishy, overripe tomato. "Perfect for a feast… if you're feeding pigs!"
Arthur's face burned, but he held his ground. "Put it back," he said quietly, his voice trembling but firm.
"Oh, really? Or what?" Kian laughed, tossing the tomato in the air. "What's a servant boy going to do about it?"
Before Arthur could react, Kian hurled the tomato at him. The mushy fruit splattered across Arthur's shirt, leaving a bright red stain and drawing laughter from the guards standing nearby. Arthur's mother, who had been fetching water, returned just in time to see the commotion.
"Young master Kian, please," she said, her voice calm but pleading. "He's only helping me."
Arthur, however, had reached his breaking point. He forgot the repeated warnings of his mother not to offend anyone from the noble household. Without thinking, he grabbed another tomato from the basket and threw it back at Kian. It wasn't a perfect shot, but it hit him on the arm, leaving a smear of red on his pristine tunic.
The laughter stopped instantly. Kian's face turned red with rage as he wiped at the stain. "How dare you!" he shouted. "Guards, hold him down." One of the guards moved to restrain Arthur as he struggled to break free from the guard's hold.
Arthur's mother dropped to her knees, clutching Kian's hand. "Please, young master Kian," she begged. "He's just a boy. I should have taught him better. Punish me instead."
Kian pushed her hands aside. "Don't touch me, you filthy woman! You will definitely pay for this."
"Make sure she doesn't get any vegetables from the house. Not a single scrap." He kicked the basket of vegetables that Arthur was holding earlier as the vegetables scattered on the floor.
"If there is a next time, you won't get off so easily." Kian looked at Arthur as he squashed a tomato under his foot and stormed away.
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Arthur's thoughts returned to the classroom as the bell rang, signalling the end of the day at school.
Arthur walked home along the dusty roads of Alvaro. He passed the bustling market with its vibrant colors and fragrant spices, a stark contrast to the outskirts where his home lay. The mud house with its thatched roof stood humbly at the edge of the village.
"Mother, I'm home," Arthur called as he pushed open the creaking wooden door.
His mother, a woman with tired eyes but a warm smile, greeted him with a hug. "How was your first day?" she asked, brushing the dust from his shirt.
"It was amazing," Arthur said, his voice brimming with excitement. "I learnt a lot about the elements. Once I awaken the fire element, I'll take you to the city, buy you a big house, and hire people to take care of you." He mimicked throwing flames from his hands, his imagination painting vivid pictures of the future.
His mother chuckled softly but didn't miss the holes in his shoes or the fraying fabric of his shirt. "That's a wonderful dream, Arthur. Keep working hard."
"I will," Arthur promised, his eyes shining with determination.
Dinner was simple—rice, vegetables from their small garden, and a small piece of meat his mother had bought to celebrate his first day at school. They ate together, the warmth of the meal and their bond making up for the meager portions.
As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, Arthur lay on his straw mattress, staring at the ceiling. Kian's mocking words echoed in his mind, but they only strengthened his resolve.
"I'll show them," Arthur whispered to himself. "I'll awaken the rarest fire element, and gain the respect of everyone."